Louise Bolton
Louise Bolton
Registered Clinical Psychologist
Practice Number: 0619582
My Story
After an educational and rewarding two years as a small business owner, I decided to pursue my keen interest in psychology and commenced with an undergraduate degree majoring in psychology and criminology. After completion of my honours degree in 2004, I gained valuable and varied experience in the fields of academics, corporate wellness and management. In 2012 I returned to university for training as a psychometrist. Subsequent hereto I completed an internship through JvR (Jopie van Rooyen) during which I comprehensively engaged with clinical assessments and organizational selection test batteries. I was also trained and accredited in the use of specialist assessment tools such as the MBTI, the EQ-i2.0-360 and the 16PF.
My re-entry into the field of psychology as a psychometrist reignited my initial zeal and enthusiasm and led to me pursuing my masters in clinical psychology. As part of my training I was introduced to a variety of therapeutic disciplines and techniques and also completed a dissertation that explored the relational influence of generational gaps within families. During my masters training and apart from applied psychology, I was involved in the neuropsychological evaluation of patients with various neurological complications as well as in a rural community service endeavor which is an initiative by the Phelophepa community service train.
I completed my internship at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria, my focus areas being psychotherapeutic input relating to psychiatric diagnosis (specifically mood disorders and psychotic disorders), adolescent psychotherapy, forensics and sex therapy. Apart from this, I was also involved in family therapy, couples therapy as well as rape victim evaluation (when judicially required to determine mental age and ability to consent). During this time I also co-presented a parenting workshop hosted by Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in conjunction with the University of Pretoria. In addition, I provided training to hospital staff on psychological subject matter and ran a substance abuse rehabilitative group.
Subsequent to Weskoppies I worked for the Department of Correctional Services as a clinical psychologist in public service further establishing my forensic interest. In my work at correctional services I gained a unique skill set in psychological risk assessment of violent and sexual offenders for the purpose of parole consideration. Additionally, I formed part of the rehabilitation team at the correctional centre where I facilitated psychological group programmes and provided individual psychotherapy to adult male offenders. I gained considerable forensic report writing experience and received further training within the forensic field from an internationally recognized clinical psychologist in the field of forensic investigation and profiling.
Currently, I am a clinical psychologist in private practice at The Couch in Rivonia. Since entering private practice I have developed a keen interest in mood related and anxiety disorders and have since had significant exposure hereto. The aforementioned includes conditions such as depression, bipolar, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, OCD and social/self-esteem related constraints. Post-traumatic stress disorder, relational difficulty, substance abuse and eating disorders are also amongst the phenomena that I work with often. I also enjoy assisting couples with their relationship complexities. This includes discernment therapy (establishing whether to divorce or not), restoring friendship and intimacy, improving communication and dealing with infidelity or betrayal. Although I primarily work from a cognitive behavioural perspective (CBT) I also incorporate techniques from other therapeutic modalities depending on individual need.
I am zealous about my vocation and passionately invested in assisting people. The privilege of being entrusted with the vulnerability of another can never be taken lightly.
My Qualifications
Clinical Psychology
BSocSci Psychology (Cum Laude-UP) 
BSocSci Psychology Hons (Cum Laude-UP)
Dip Psychometry ( UJ)
MSc Clinical Psychology (NWU)
My Clinical Experience
Institution: Tswelopele (NGO)
Position: Counselor (Volunteer)
Period of service: 2004
Responsibilities:
Counselling and Support (Substance Abuse)
Initiatives aimed at Augmenting Lifestyle
Institution: Varsity College
Position: Head of Department
Period of service: May 2005- February 2008
Responsibilities:
Sourcing and Contracting and Managing Lecturers
General Office Management
Coordinating Multiple Academic Programmes on Campus
Assessment, Moderation, Execution and Post Evaluation of Programmes
Training and Workshops
Institution: ABSA Retail Bank
Position: Performance Coach and Training Management
Period of service: March 2008- February 2011
Responsibilities:
Individual and Group Training Interventions
Workshops Facilitation
Individual Coaching Enhancing Personal Performance
Training Needs Analysis
Identifying individuals with Growth Potential (Talent Management)
Formulating Individual Personal Development Plans
Assessing Intervention Effectiveness and subsequent Adaptation
Institution: Jopie van Rooyen (JvR)
Position: Intern Psychometrist
Period of Service: July 2012-December 2012
Responsibilities:
Compilation of Test Batteries
Psychometric Assessment and Testing, Reporting and Recommendation
Advisory Services to Clinical Psychologists, Organizational Psychologists and Companies in terms of their Individual Battery Requirements
Literature Study, Investigation and Research
Institution: Witrand Psychiatric Hospital
Position: Student Clinical Psychologist
Period of Service: 2013 (ad hoc)
Responsibilities:
Execution of Psychological and Neurological Assessment
Neuropsychological and Psychological Report Writing and Recommendation
Individual Psychotherapy
Institution: Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital.
Position: Intern Clinical Psychologist
Period of Service: January 2014 to December 2014
Responsibilities:
Individual Psychotherapy
Clinical Interview, Report Writing and Recommendation as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team
Forensic Evaluation and Reporting
Rape Victim Reports establishing intellectual level and ability to consent
Psycho-education to Nursing Team
Family Therapy
Couples Therapy
Adolescent Assessment and Therapy
Presenting at Parenting Workshop
Institution: Department of Correctional Services
Position: Clinical Psychologist
Period of Service: January 2015 to January 2017
Responsibilities:
Individual Psychotherapy,
Group Therapy
Trauma Debriefing,
Psycho-education
Risk Assessment, Recommendation and Reports to Parole Board
Significant Exposure; Sexual Offense and Murder (violent and psychologically motivated crimes)
Media
Extending the positive effects of Exposure Therapy
Sunrise etv Channel
Published on 16 Feb 2017
In an interview with Psychologist Louise Bolton we spoke about how to identify and treat Bipolar Disorder.
Child Murder Rate in South Africa
Watch this interview with Psychologist Louise Bolton.
